Appliance inlets/appliance outlets for hot conditions and those for very hot conditions, other than those integrated or incorporated in an appliance or equipment, are kept in a heating cabinet for 96 h at a temperature of
• 120 °C ± 2 °C for appliance inlets/appliance outlets for hot conditions classified in 7.1b);
• 155 °C ± 2 °C for appliance inlets/appliance outlets for very hot conditions classified in 7.1c).
After the test, the test sample shall show no damage impairing its further use.
19 Breaking capacity
Appliance couplers shall have adequate breaking capacity.
Compliance is checked, for connectors/appliance outlets, by the following test.
The connector or appliance outlet is mounted in an appropriate test apparatus, which incorporates the corresponding appliance inlet or plug connector.
For standardized types, the appliance inlet or plug connector shall have polished, hardened steel pins, and dimensions as specified in the relevant standard sheet. The ends of the pins shall be rounded for rectangular pins and hemispherical for round pins as shown in the standard sheets.
For non-standardized types, the counterpart as specified by the manufacturer shall be used.
Connectors and appliance outlets for up to 0,2 A are not tested.
The appliance inlet/plug connector is positioned so that the plane through the axes of the pins is horizontal and the earthing pin, if any, is uppermost.
The test apparatus shall be designed and adjusted so as to simulate as far as possible disconnection in normal use (see Figure 5 for circuit diagram).
Key
C selector switch
Figure 5 – Circuit diagram for breaking capacity and normal operation tests For testing 10 A and 16 A connectors with earthing contact, the shroud of the appliance inlet shall be of metal. For testing other connectors and appliance outlets the shroud shall be of insulating material.
Ratings for the tests are taken from Table 6.
Table 6 – Ratings for the tests of Clause 19
Rated current Test voltage Test current Power
factor Number of strokes
[A] [V] [A] (cos Φ)
> 0,2 to < 10 1,1 × rated voltage 1,25 × rated current 0,6 ± 0,05 100
≥ 10 1,1 × rated voltage 1,25 × rated current 0,95 ± 0,05 100
NOTE 1 28 to 30 strokes per minute with continuous movement.
NOTE 2 Current flow period: 1,5 0,5+ 0 s .
NOTE 3 A stroke is an engagement or a disengagement of the sample under test into the counterpart.
NOTE 4 The test sample is fully inserted into and withdrawn from its counterpart during each cycle.
No current is passed through the earthing circuit, if any.
The selector switch C, connecting the earthing circuit and accessible metal parts to one of the poles of the supply, is operated after half the number of strokes.
During the test, there shall be no flashover between live parts of different polarity or between live parts and parts of the earthing circuit, if any, nor shall there be any sustained arcing.
After the test, the test sample shall show no damage impairing its further use.
IEC
20 Normal operation
Appliance couplers shall withstand, without excessive wear or other harmful effects, the mechanical, electrical and thermal stresses occurring in normal use.
Compliance is checked by testing the connectors/appliance outlets in the apparatus described in Clause 19.
Appliance inlets and plug connectors are not tested.
Ratings for the tests are taken from Table 7.
The selector switch C, connecting the earthing circuit and accessible metal parts to one of the poles of the supply, is operated after half the number of strokes at rated current.
Table 7 – Ratings for the tests of Clause 20
Rated current Test voltage Test current Power factor (cos Φ)
Minimum number of
strokes
[A] [V] [A]
≤ 0,2 – no current – 4 000
> 0,2 to < 10 rated voltage rated current 0,6 ± 0,05 2 000
– no current – 6 000
≥ 10 rated voltage rated current 0,95 ± 0,05 2 000
– no current – 6 000
NOTE 1 28 to 30 strokes per minute with continuous movement.
NOTE 2 Current flow period: 1,5 +0,50 s .
NOTE 3 A stroke is an engagement or a disengagement of the sample under test into the counterpart.
NOTE 4 The test sample is fully inserted into and withdrawn from its counterpart during each cycle.
After the test, the test samples shall withstand an electric strength test as specified in15.3.
The test voltage is reduced to 50 % of the value of Table 4 without humidity treatment.
The test sample shall not show any – wear impairing its further use;
– deterioration of enclosures or barriers;
– damage to the entry holes for the pins that might impair proper working;
– loosening of electrical or mechanical connections;
– seepage of sealing compound.
The electrical safety shall not be impaired.
21 Temperature rise
Contacts and other current‐carrying parts shall be so designed as to prevent excessive temperature rise due to the passage of current.
Compliance is checked, for connectors/appliance outlets, by the following test.
Rewirable connectors are fitted with polyvinyl chloride insulated cords having a length of 1 m and a cross-sectional area according to Table 8.
Appliance outlets are fitted with insulated conductors according to Table 8.
The terminal screws, if any, are tightened with two‐thirds of the torque specified in the appropriate column of Table 12.
Table 8 – Cords and conductors for the tests of Clause 21
Type of coupler Rated current Conductor Test current
[A] [mm2] [A]
Connectors ≤ 0,2 – not tested
Non-rewirable connectors > 0,2 to ≤ 16 with cord as
delivered 1,25 × rated current
Rewirable connectors ≤ 10 1,0
1,25 × rated current
> 10 1,5
Appliance outlets
> 0,2 to ≤ 6 0,75
1,25 × rated current
> 6 to ≤ 10 1,0
> 10 1,5
The connector is inserted into an appliance inlet having brass pins with the minimum dimensions specified in the relevant standard sheet, a tolerance of +0,02 mm being allowed, the distance between pin centres having the value specified in the standard sheet.
Appliance outlets are connected to a plug connector.
For non-standardized appliance couplers, the counterpart specified by the manufacturer is used.
An alternating current of 1,25 times the rated current is passed through the current-carrying contacts for 1 h.
For connectors/appliance outlets with earthing contact, the current is then passed through one current‐carrying contact and the earthing contact for 1 h.
The temperature rise of terminals and contacts shall not exceed 45 K.
After this test, the test samples shall withstand the test of Clause 16.
22 Cords and their connection